THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: K Babu, who had tendered his resignation a week ago in the wake of a Vigilance Court order asking the VACB to slap an FIR on him in the bar bribe case, will continue as minister. The UDF leaders’ meet at Cliff House on Saturday formally asked Babu to withdraw his letter of resignation in view of the High Court stay on the court order. The meet also urged Kerala Congress supremo and former Finance Minister K M Mani to return to the ministry. However, Mani is not inclined to stage a comeback at the moment.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had spearheaded a grand plan before the UDF leaders’ meet taking a cue from favourable orders issued by the High Court to stay the Vigilance Court diktat. He had talked to Babu before the meeting and insisted he should not press for his resignation.
Chandy who had kept the letter with him for a week without handing it over to the Governor told the leaders there was no need now for Babu to resign - which was endorsed by all. It was also decided that K M Mani should be asked to return to the ministry.
Babu had little choice but to yield when Chandy prevailed upon his confidant though he had given a request to the Speaker to allot a room in the MLA hostel and made arrangements to visit his official residence. He had even attended a farewell meet organised by his department officials last Tuesday.